"Can't Get It Out of My Head" is a song written by Jeff Lynne and originally recorded by Electric Light Orchestra (also known as ELO). First released on the band's fourth album Eldorado in September 1974, the song is the second track on the album and follows "Eldorado Overture". The song was released in November the same year as a single. The song became the band's first top 10 single in the United States, reaching number 9, and helped boost public awareness of the band in the U.S., although the single and LP failed to chart in the UK. In 1978, it was included as the lead song on the four-track The ELO EP (UK release), reaching number 34 on the UK charts. The song has appeared on many ELO compilation albums.

Background

Lynne wrote "Can't Get It Out of My Head" partially in response to his father's criticism that the previous songs he wrote didn't have any tune, wanting to show that he could write a song with a beautiful melody. Lynne has stated that the lyrics "were about a man who was dreaming, sees this vision of loveliness and wakes up and finds that he's actually a clerk working in a bank" and so will not be able to act on this dream.

Critical reception

Record World said that "Jeff Lynne and company brew up a brilliant batch of hook melody strains from the last decade of ballads into one fresh triumph." AllMusic's Mike DeGagne said the song would become "one of Electric Light Orchestra's most beautiful ballads" thanks to "the rich backdrop of strings (especially cello) and the steady, delicate cymbal taps that enhance the song's charm", adding: "there's an honest simplicity built around the dynamics of the relaxed rhythm and it's this enchanting air, mixed with the storybook lyrics and poetic wonderment of the song that carries the listener away, even if they're indecipherable at times", considering the song as "the band's best example of this recipe implemented toward a slower style". Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it as ELO's 10th best song, calling it a "sentimental grooving ballad." Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it as ELO's 9th best song. Stereogum contributor Ryan Reed rated it as ELO's 4th best song.

Personnel

Credits adapted from "Can't Get It Out of My Head" liner notes. Electric Light Orchestra Additional musicians Production Recording

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Jeff Lynne versions

Jeff Lynne re-recorded the song in his own home studio. It was released in a compilation album with other re-recorded ELO songs under the ELO name. In 2012, as part of the concert from his home studio, Live From Bungalow Palace, Lynne performed an acoustic version of the song with longtime ELO pianist Richard Tandy.